EMBO Reports - Table of Contents alert Volume 12 Issue 8, pp 743 - 870

TABLE OF CONTENTS August 2011 | Volume 12, Issue 8 Upfront Science & Society Reviews Scientific Reports Also new AOP Sign up for e-alerts Recommend to your library Web feed Subscribe Advertisement The EMBO Meeting 2011 - advancing the life sciences 10-13 September 2011, Vienna Late registration: 15 September Featuring: Richard Axel & Susan Lindquist as keynote speakers Plenary lecture sessions devoted to microbiology of infection, genome evolution and neuroscience 21 concurrent sessions exploring classical research fields and new frontiers in molecular biology Meet the speaker, editor lunches and daily poster sessions Popular career development activities and editorial workshops See the full programme, submit abstracts and register: www.the-embo-meeting.org   Upfront Top Editorial Freedom's roar Amidst the clamour for greater freedom represented by the ‘Arab Spring’, Howy argues that scientists have a special responsibility to stand on the side of liberty. Howy Jacobs EMBO reports (2011), 12, 743; 10.1038/embor.2011.136 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 29 July 2011 Subject Categories: Philosophy & History of Science Freedom and responsibility Scientists enjoy considerable public trust and the freedom to spend research money with few strings attached. With this comes the responsibility to abide by the rules for proper conduct of research. Holger Breithaupt EMBO reports (2011), 12, 744; 10.1038/embor.2011.145 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 29 July 2011 Subject Categories: Ethics | Scientific Training & Careers Opinion The dilemma of the honest researcher Most agree that without honest and trustworthy practitioners, research has no value. Yet high standards present a dilemma for honest researchers, because successful practices often clash with ethically impeccable behaviour. Nicholas H Steneck EMBO reports (2011), 12, 745; 10.1038/embor.2011.134 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 29 July 2011 Subject Categories: Scientific Training & Careers Hot off the Press SIRT3 deacetylase: the Jekyll and Hyde sirtuin Mitochondrial deacetylase SIRT3 protects against oxidative damage. In an article published online this month in EMBO reports, it is shown to also aggravate paracetamol-induced liver toxicity, calling for caution in trying to pharmacologically enhance SIRT3 activity. Dafne M Silberman and Raul Mostoslavsky EMBO reports (2011), 12, 746 - 747; 10.1038/embor.2011.147 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 08 July 2011 Subject Categories: Molecular Biology of Disease | Cellular Metabolism | Proteins Meeting Point Nuclear visions enhanced: chromatin structure, organization and dynamics The EMBO Workshop on ‘Chromatin Structure, Organization and Dynamics’ took place in April 2011 in Prague, Czech Republic. Participants presented data on the generation of models of the genome, working to correlate changes in the organization of chromatin with the functional state of the genome. Eran Meshorer, Harald Herrmann and Ivan Raška EMBO reports (2011), 12, 748 - 750; 10.1038/embor.2011.148 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 15 July 2011 Subject Categories: Chromatin & Transcription | Cell Cycle Regulatory RNAs and beyond The dynamic regulation of biological processes by RNA has emerged as an important field in recent years, and was the topic of the 62nd Mosbacher Colloquium of the German Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, held in April 2011. Christian Hammann, Roland K Hartmann, Mark Helm, Dagmar Klostermeier, Anita Marchfelder, Beatrix Suess and Stefan Vörtler EMBO reports (2011), 12, 751 - 753; 10.1038/embor.2011.150 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 15 July 2011 Subject Categories: RNA Science & Society Top Outlook Discussing honesty, diligence and education Ulrike Beisiegel, the former ombudsman for science in Germany talks about the particular responsibility of scientists to tell the truth, and about how to prevent misconduct. EMBO reports (2011), 12, 754 - 757; 10.1038/embor.2011.144 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 15 July 2011 Subject Categories: Societal Issues & Politics | Scientific Training & Careers The academic birth rate Universities have been churning out PhD students to reap financial and other rewards for training biomedical scientists. This deluge of cheap labour has created unhealthy competition, which encourages scientific misconduct. Brian C Martinson EMBO reports (2011), 12, 758 - 762; 10.1038/embor.2011.142 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 08 July 2011 Subject Categories: Ethics | Scientific Training & Careers Global food security and the governance of modern biotechnologies Food security has become a serious issue for governments around the world. Europe stands to have a key role, but the European Union will need to change its policies on plant biotechnology to do so. Joyce Tait and Guy Barker EMBO reports (2011), 12, 763 - 768; 10.1038/embor.2011.135 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 15 July 2011 Subject Categories: Evolution, Environment & Agriculture | Societal Issues & Politics Feature The fourth front against cancer Engineered viruses that target and destroy tumour cells could become a fourth therapy option against cancer. The first clinical trials have demonstrated their ability to attack both solid tumours and metastases. Philip Hunter EMBO reports (2011), 12, 769 - 771; 10.1038/embor.2011.138 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 29 July 2011 Subject Categories: Health & Disease | Technology, Development & Applications Funding in the firing line With large charities such as the Wellcome Trust or the Gates Foundation committed to funding research, is there a risk that politicians could cut public funding for science? Howard Wolinsky EMBO reports (2011), 12, 772 - 774; 10.1038/embor.2011.146 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 29 July 2011 Subject Categories: Science Policy & Funding Reviews Top Review Our microbial selves: what ecology can teach us A comprehensive characterization of the microbial communities associated with the human body will allow the study of the ecological relationships involved. This is crucial to attain personalized medicine based not on the human genome—where we are 99.9% the same—but on the microbiome, in which we can differ immensely. Antonio Gonzalez, Jose C Clemente, Ashley Shade, Jessica L Metcalf, Sejin Song, Bharath Prithiviraj, Brent E Palmer and Rob Knight EMBO reports (2011), 12, 775 - 784; 10.1038/embor.2011.137 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 01 July 2011 Subject Categories: Microbiology & Pathogens | Genomic & Computational Biology | Molecular Biology of Disease Protein kinase D: coupling extracellular stimuli to the regulation of cell physiology PKDs phosphorylate several substrates downstream from DAG signalling, regulating many aspects of cell physiology, such as transcription, Golgi-vesicle fission and trafficking, cell migration and cell survival after oxidative stress. Dysregulated PKDs have been linked to disease, and the development of selective inhibitors is promising for therapy. Ya Fu and Charles S Rubin EMBO reports (2011), 12, 785 - 796; 10.1038/embor.2011.139 Abstract | Full text | PDF Published online: 08 July 2011 Subject Categories: Signal Transduction | Molecular Biology of Disease | Proteins Scientific Reports Top Crystal structure of the N-terminal region of human Ash2L shows a winged-helix motif involved in DNA binding Ash2L is a core component of the MLL family of histone methyltransferase complexes. The crystal structure of the N-terminal region of Ash2L reveals a previously unrecognized winged-helix motif that directly binds to DNA and targets Ash2L to HOX loci. Yong Chen, Bingbing Wan, Kevin C Wang, Fang Cao, Yuting Yang, Angeline Protacio, Yali Dou, Howard Y Chang and Ming Lei EMBO reports (2011), 12, 797 - 803; 10.1038/embor.2011.101 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 10 June 2011 Subject Categories: Chromatin & Transcription | Structural Biology The role of trimerization in the osmoregulated betaine transporter BetP This report shows that individual protomers in the trimeric Na+/betaine symporter BetP are functionally coupled. While an engineered monomeric form of BetP can transport betaine, only the trimeric form is able to regulate the transport activity under osmotic stress. Camilo Perez, Kamil Khafizov, Lucy R Forrest, Reinhard Krämer and Christine Ziegler EMBO reports (2011), 12, 804 - 810; 10.1038/embor.2011.102 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 17 June 2011 Subject Categories: Membranes & Transport p53 downregulates Down syndrome-associated DYRK1A through miR-1246 miR-1246 is identified as a new target of the p53 family. In response to DNA damage, p53-induced miR-1246 expression leads to DYRK1A inhibition and nuclear retention of NFATc1, providing a new layer of regulation in the p53–NFAT axis. Yu Zhang, Jun-Ming Liao, Shelya X Zeng and Hua Lu EMBO reports (2011), 12, 811 - 817; 10.1038/embor.2011.98 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 03 June 2011 Subject Categories: Signal Transduction | RNA Scribble-mediated membrane targeting of PHLPP1 is required for its negative regulation of Akt PHLPP1 is a S/T protein phosphatase that acts as a tumour suppressor by negatively regulating Akt. This study shows that PHLPP1 is recruited to the basolateral membrane in colon cancer cells by binding to the scaffolding protein Scribble. This interaction is required for PHLPP1-dependent dephosphorylation of Akt. Xin Li, Haihua Yang, Jianyu Liu, Micheal D Schmidt and Tianyan Gao EMBO reports (2011), 12, 818 - 824; 10.1038/embor.2011.106 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 24 June 2011 Subject Categories: Signal Transduction In vivo study in Trypanosoma brucei links mitochondrial transfer RNA import to mitochondrial protein import Tim17 and mHsp70 are components of the mitochondrial inner membrane protein import machinery of Trypanosoma brucei. RNAi meditated ablation of the two proteins inhibits both protein import and import of newly synthesized tRNAs, indicating a connection between the two processes and suggesting that mitochondrial protein import factors might be a conserved feature of mitochondrial tRNA import in all systems. Florence Tschopp, Fabien Charrière and André Schneider EMBO reports (2011), 12, 825 - 832; 10.1038/embor.2011.111 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. Published online: 01 July 2011 Subject Categories: Membranes & Transport | RNA Regulation of Rad51 function by phosphorylation This report shows that Rad51, a key enzyme involved in DNA double-strand break repair by homologous recombination, is phosphorylated on a functionally important site in response to DNA damage, thereby identifying a new mechanism for Rad51 regulation. Sonja Flott, Youngho Kwon, Ying Zhang Pigli, Phoebe A Rice, Patrick Sung and Stephen P Jackson EMBO reports (2011), 12, 833 - 839; 10.1038/embor.2011.127 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. Published online: 08 July 2011 Subject Categories: Genome Stability & Dynamics SIRT3-dependent deacetylation exacerbates acetaminophen hepatotoxicity Protein deacetylation by SIRT3 is shown to enhance paracetamol-induced liver injury by modulating the attachment of toxic metabolites to mitochondrial proteins. In particular, modification of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 leads to enzyme inactivation. Zhongping Lu, Mohammed Bourdi, Jian H Li, Angel M Aponte, Yong Chen, David B Lombard, Marjan Gucek, Lance R Pohl and Michael N Sack EMBO reports (2011), 12, 840 - 846; 10.1038/embor.2011.121 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 01 July 2011 Subject Categories: Cellular Metabolism | Molecular Biology of Disease The association of phosphoinositide 3-kinase enhancer A with hepatic insulin receptor enhances its kinase activity Activation of insulin receptor tyrosine kinase (IRTK) is necessary for insulin-controlled hepatic glucose production. This report shows that PIKE-A is necessary for the activation of IRTK in mouse liver to maintain a normal glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Chi Bun Chan, Xia Liu, Kunyan He, Qi Qi, Dae Y Jung, Jason K Kim and Keqiang Ye EMBO reports (2011), 12, 847 - 854; 10.1038/embor.2011.108 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 01 July 2011 Subject Categories: Signal Transduction | Cellular Metabolism Identification of the AFD neuron as the site of action of the CREB protein in Caenorhabditis elegans thermotaxis The CREB protein, a key molecule for learning and memory, is expressed in nearly all neurons. This study shows that Caenorhabditis elegans CREB activity is required exclusively in the AFD thermosensory neuron for thermotactic behavior. Yukuo Nishida, Takuma Sugi, Mayu Nonomura and Ikue Mori EMBO reports (2011), 12, 855 - 862; 10.1038/embor.2011.120 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 08 July 2011 Subject Categories: Neuroscience Reconstitution of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis pupylation pathway in Escherichia coli Pup is conjugated to mycobacterial proteins by PafA, but how proteins are selected for pupylation is unknown. Pup and PafA are shown to be sufficient to pupylate E. coli proteins, suggesting that pupylation signals are intrinsic to targeted proteins and may not require Mycobacterium-specific co-factors. Francisca A Cerda-Maira, Fiona McAllister, Nadine J Bode, Kristin E Burns, Steven P Gygi and K Heran Darwin EMBO reports (2011), 12, 863 - 870; 10.1038/embor.2011.109 Abstract | Full text | PDF | Supp. info. | Review Process File Published online: 08 July 2011 Subject Categories: Microbiology & Pathogens | Proteins Please note that you need to be a subscriber or site-licence holder to enjoy full-text access to EMBO reports. In order to do so, please purchase a subscription. You have been sent this Table of Contents Alert because you have opted in to receive it. You can change or discontinue your e-mail alerts at any time, by modifying your preferences on your nature.com account at: www.nature.com/nams/svc/myaccount (You will need to log in to be recognised as a nature.com registrant). For further technical assistance, please contact our registration department. For print subscription enquiries, please contact our subscription department. 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